'ponying' a horse off a ridden horse

[Nix77]

so now don is on a lot of exercise i am struglling to keep smarty in work during the week. it is ok when his sharer can be there, and i can always lunge, but i wondered if i could pony smarty off don when we do our road walks?

how would i do this safely? should i use a bridle or a headcollar? how can i find out if smarty and don are happy doing this without just doing it hoping for the best?

help much aprpeciated!

[von10]

I'd use a bridle but with a leadrope instead of reins as it is longer.

Try them in the field or menage. Start with leading them together when you are on the gound, one each side of you, then put them both on one side, i.e. leadropes in the same hand. If all is ok mount and have a go aiming to keep Smarties head at your knee.

y.

[Nix77]

With the leadrope, would i use a connector to the bits or over the head?

[visconde]

legally I think he must have a bridle on on the roads? shame as my exmoor hates a snaffle but not really sure I can lead him off of his pelham-he would be better in a headcollar.

[Peaches]

Visconde - if you can get a hold of a sidepull noseband, and attach that to your cheek piece of a normal headstall, it will act the same as a headcollar but is legally classed as a 'sidepull bitless bridle'  Might be worth looking into if you want to try it?

[visconde]

ooh, thanks Peaches! will have a look online lunchtime.

[Greybaby]

Visconde - if you can get a hold of a sidepull noseband, and attach that to your cheek piece of a normal headstall, it will act the same as a headcollar but is legally classed as a 'sidepull bitless bridle'  Might be worth looking into if you want to try it?

Yep, I 'pony' mine from a sidepull.

Have done this for years to exercise two together when short of time in winter. Definately a good idea to practise in the field/yard first, as not all horses take to it. I can lead anything from my old mare, but she will not be led from another: I think she objects to having her position usurped! 

Make sure when you're on the roads that the ridden horse in on the outside, as obviously you can't control the sideways movement of the led horse. And still with safety - don't forget hi-viz on the led horse too! (especially important if it were to break away from you for any reason)

Hope it works ok with your two 

[von10]

check that your insurance company will definately cover you in a bitless i.e. get them to confirm in writing. Email will do.....

Y.

[visconde]

thanks for all the tips and good point re the insurance. I have done ride and lead a long time ago, tried it with these 2 in the winter and it was fairly disastrous but Nods was new then. will try it again and see would save me time and help keep the weight off of Nods too!

[Candypony]

Think I would boot up both horses too....

[OliviaR]

I've never heard it called ponying before - cool name

The first time you do it I'd have someone on the ground to help.  I always found the hardest bit was to get the lead pony to stand still whilst I mounted (but I did have a very excitable led pony and a real figit butt of a ridden horse!!!) so the first few times it might help to get someone to hand you the led pony once you're on board.

I'd also practice in an enclosed space to start off with too - it took a while to work out the best combination of bit/rope arrangement.  My led pony pulled like a steam train (he didn't do 'behind') so I ended up with a snaffle bit with a short lunge line running from one side of bit over his poll, through the ring on the other side of bit to me.  If we were going on the roads I also put him in loose-ish side reins as it made him go into 'work' mode rather than 'wooohoooo' mode - no idea if this is correct or safe, but it worked for us.

(should add this was a retired 33yr old ex hunting 12hh2" pony, so reschooling wasn't really an option!)

BUT once we were all sorted it was great it gave Kahn the chance to get out and about on much longer hacks than he would have had the chance for in hand, and because Tilly had company she was much happier going out and about too.

Olivia

[cirocco]

I have ridden and led for many years.
In the years when I worked for a racing stable, it was pretty normal to lead from another quieter horse although i never did it. sometimes two horses were led at the same time, one at each side.
I started leading my pony from my welsh cob so that I could exercise both together and it worked really well, it was great to get the welshie going having a steady pony with it. I used a snaffle bridle with a lead rein, the reins from the bridle run through a roller.
Now if ever im leading it is with the led horse in a bridle, the reins still through the roller, and a lead rein. I always double knot the end just in case its pulled through my hand.
Ive always had the ridden horse on the outside and it helps if they have had some lateral training. Ive been in the position of needing an instant response to a leg aid to go sideways, but I think this bit of schooling is really necessary on roads today anyway, perhaps its a bit naughty, but my inside horse always goes on the pavement whenever possible..

With schooling, to be able to ride one lead one is a great boon to the sole dual horse owner.

[Icy Lady]

Once your horse gets used to it it can be quite easy!  I have done lots of it, as our third horse did not always have a rider so I would pony him off my older chap.  Alot of what we did was off road and it did get a bit exciting in canter, but we used to go for miles and miles regularly.  I only once managed to get myself wrapped round a tree (literally!) when they each decided to go different ways.  I also used to find it really useful to use the spare horse as a pack pony, so he would often carry lunch and drinks!

As long as you put the ground work into it, I would have thought you would be fine, but as others have said its a good idea to have someone on the ground the first few times.

Good luck!

[intouch]

I did a season with polo ponies, I used to ride one and lead 2 of the right and 3 of the left side, at canter, in Windsor Great Park.  Honest.  Young and foolish.

[OliverG]

Just seen this. Don is a pro at it. I used to ride/lead him with my friends coloured cob all the time! usually int eh woods and tracks though as i dont like roads and would be nervous trying to control two if something should spook one.

its a handy way of keeping two fit. In fact im going to try it when Jimmy comes home so I can keep him fit and still ride jack daily.